Our message comes from Genesis 37: 23 - 24
23And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
24And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
How many times have you found yourself in a place where you didn't know what to do or which way to turn? There is an old sayin, "You gotta take the lesser of the two evils." There needs to be a clear understanding of something that will help us from this day forward. THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING IS GOD! Everything is in His control. There is absolutely nothing that happens in life that God doesn't already know about. In our heads we know all our options but we have no clue which way to go. When forced to choose which path to take, do you look for God? Anytime somthing bad happens you should look for God in it. We find ourselves looking at God ad sometimes even blaming God when we are forced through life's trials. Whether you are like Joseph catapaulted into the situation or if you are more like Saul and Go is pressing you, we always end up questioning God. "Oh, God why is this happening to me?" "Why me?" "What did I do to deserve this?" Instead of asking "Why, why, why?" We should be asking, "God what are you trying to teach me?" Godhas always been, stil is, and always will be in cntrol. The problem is....we don't let Him. We want to control everything ourselves. If God wants your attention, He's going to get it.
You think things are running smoothly. You are living your life the way you want it. You realize you aren't spending as much time going to church, Sunday school, praying, or worshiping with others, but that's not so bad. It couldn't be bad...look at all the good things happening in your life. But uh, oh! Something goes wrong. Things begin to unravel. Where is this coming from? What did I do to deserve this? Why me?
Back up! God wanted your attention so He got it. We each have an important role to play on this Earth. We each have jobs to do and shoes to fill in the church and ou communities. God chose us each to serve in those jobs and if we aren't doing it then He will get our attention. I can't do your job and you can't do mine. It's like a puzzle. We each are a piece that completes the whole picture. Without one piece, the picture is incomplete and unappealing. But when all the pieces are put into place, the picture draws you in. It is complete.
Instead of asking God, "Why you are being punished", ask Him to show you what He is trying to teach you. We often get too hung up on being selfish people that we are missing God's message and lesson. God says, "Be still and know that I am God." He wants us to be still. When we are in question about life are we being still and allowing God to teach us or are we trying to control everything ourselves. You might as well give up on controling the situation yourself. It won't work. He won't allow it.
When you fail, it isn't God punishing you.....He is polishing you. You are like a diamond. God polishes you up. You can't be a perfectly shaped and polished diamond without a little chiseling and rough buffing! We have to let God polish and shape us. The more difficult we are, the harder he buffs! Like I said, He WILL get your attention. If we continue to turn our heads and ignore Godin our trials and admit we are justbeing polished, then we will never shine. We must be still and let God take control or we will never see God in the trials. Look for God in everything whether it be good or bad. I promise you, He IS there and IS in CONTROL! LET GO!
